I’ve heard from many fans about how much they like Jacob. He’s dauntless in war, despicable in love, devious in strategy, and all that other hero-stuff. In other words, he’s the kind of guy you’d like to hang out with; especially if a fight breaks out.
So, Episode VI is all Jacob, all the time.
In keeping with that theme, the third Pia Sabel book (in progress with the working title Blue Death) is also all Jacob.
Trench Coats, Episode VI: The Tiger Strikes hit the shelves early this morning. Jacob churns through bad guys like there’s no tomorrow in a desperate attempt to rescue Pia Sabel. Will he make it in time? (Hey, you don’t know. I could’ve written a French ending where everyone dies in an existential disaster. It’s possible.)
Next up: The Trench Coats Omnibus Edition. All I have to do is consolidate the episodes, remove the redundant explanations, and fix a couple of plot points some readers have been quick to point out, and rename Jacob (see below). And we’re rolling. When I publish the final version, I’m going to raise the permanent pricing on the episodes and have a short intro-sale on the Omnibus edition.
I need your help on two things:
First, please don’t be shy about reviewing & recommending the book. (If you don’t have a copy, send me a note.)
Second, HELP ME NAME JACOB.
I gave him a surname back when he was a minor player in the first Pia Sabel novel: Jacob Milik. I took it from a Polish soccer player who was red-carded in a game while I was writing Jacob’s intro. While it’s fitting, it’s far from catchy. And, as you can imagine, Jacob’s not amused.
Jacob deserves a surname that will fit nicely with thriller legends like Jason Bourne (as in born to kill, or born with a conscience), Gabriel Allon (Hebrew for oak), or Alex Cross (don’t cross Alex).
I’d come up with a name myself, but Jacob expressed grave reservations about my competency and encouraged me to seek your help.
Who is he? Jacob is a farm boy from Donnellson, Iowa, of Polish ancestry, falls in love with every woman who maintains eye contact for more than three seconds, joined the Army on September 12, 2001, and would take a bullet for you — probably.
I’ll run a retro-active giveaway for participants as soon as I can come up with a plan*.
What do you think would be a good surname for Jacob (and why)?
Peace, Seeley
* Free Omnibus e-books, a future autographed hardcopy, other things TBD. Watch this space.
